Case

Some years ago the term CASE was applied generally to persons or things; “what a CASE he is,” i.e. , what a curious person; “a rum CASE that,” or “you are a CASE ,” both synonymous with the phrase “odd fish,” common half a century ago. This would seem to have been originally a “case” for the police-court; drunkenne , . Among young ladies at boarding-schools a CASE means a love-affair. Case now means any unfortunate matter. “I’m afraid it’s a CASE with him.”